Tag: Kitchen Remodeling Dallas

Seven Ideas You Should Add To Your Kitchen Design Wish List

When your planning a kitchen remodeling, a big part of the fun is considering the upgrades you want to include in your all-new space. There are so many options available and some can be pretty expensive, but you should consider upgrades that will not only add to the aesthetics of your kitchen design, but also to its functionality. Of course, your decision should be guided by a balance of what you need, and what you can afford without having to sacrifice elsewhere.

When you’re working with a full-service design build remodeling contractor, you’ll have a designer to take you through the process of creating your dream kitchen. They can help you to focus on which upgrades to including in your remodeling project. Here are seven kitchen upgrades to consider that can be money well spent when it comes to the long-term enjoyment of your brand new dream kitchen!

Looking for extra storage space in the kitchen? Look up! Standard upper cabinet height is 30 inches, but you can go bigger with 36 or 42-inch uppers. It’s worth the added cost. The height gives you an extra shelf and taller cabinets look better. Plus if you go all the way to the ceiling it eliminates dust on top of the cabinets making cleaning easier.

2. Store Pots and Pans in Drawers

Pot drawers are deeper than standard drawers. There perfect for keeping kitchen tools close at hand and the drawer depth makes them a great place to store small appliances like toasters, coffee grinders, and blenders free up counter space and keeping clutter to a minimum. It’s a modestly priced upgrade you won’t believe you lived without.

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3. Go Deep Over The Fridge

Standard upper cabinets are 12 inches deep, and a builders standard over fridge cabinet is the same. Upgrading to a 24-inch cabinet over the refrigerator is totally worth the price. It’s a great place to store large seasonal platters and other seldom used important dishware and cookware.

4. Make Your Kitchen Truly Your Own With Custom-Painted Cabinetry

Consider requesting that your design build remodeler source a cabinet manufacturer who will spray your cabinets with a unique custom color. This is a great upgrade to a kitchen design that not only saves you the expense of painting them later but also gives your home a unique look. Another advantage is if you choose to add additional cabinetry or an island later, you’ll be able to fit the new pieces in seamlessly by matching and using the same custom color.

5. Open Your Kitchen Design With Glass Cabinet Inserts

Glass inserts are typically an upgrade. If you’d like some cabinets to display your treasured family china or other items that are special to you, make sure your contractor includes them in your kitchen design. Including glass panel inserts is best done when the cabinets are first ordered. It can be difficult to do later, especially if the cabinets are custom built. In fact, it’s best if you plan upgrades during the design phase so all of the elements will have matching finishes, plus change orders can create time delays and increase costs.

6. Consider An Artistic Tile Upgrade

Today, many kitchen designs include subway tile or glass mosaic for the backsplash. While it’s a great clean, modern look, consider upgrading to a more exciting tile choice. Consider upgrading to a more creative design or material like a solid marble or durable quartz backsplash to create a wonderful visual focal point.

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7. Consider a Built-In Microwave

Every kitchen has one, and typically it’s either taking up counter space or hanging over the range. When designing your kitchen consider adding a built-in microwave. It will free up valuable counter space, and if you build it into the island or a wall, it frees the space above the range for a stylish range fan, which can add another great visual element to your kitchen design. Another great space is building your microwave into a base cabinet with extra deep pots and pans drawers underneath.

Creating your custom kitchen means having the ability to add upgrades that can increase your enjoyment of your space, make it more aesthetically pleasing and improve functionality. These are just a few exciting upgrades that can accomplish all of this and more. Work closely with a professional designer when creating your initial kitchen design. Our design team can incorporate these upgrades and help you to understand all of your options. Simple upgrades like building in the microwave or the inclusion of extra deep pots and pan drawers can improve the functionality of your kitchen space.

Pros and Cons of an Open Layout For a Ranch House Remodel

After World War II, ranches became a popular and affordable housing choice for veterans looking to expand or relocate with their families. The ranch’s popularity continued into the 1970s, however, in recent years, they’ve been tagged as outdated. Many lack the design aesthetic and amenities modern homeowners seek, including open floor plans. For those seeking single floor living, as a retirement home or as a family home, these mid-century ranches should not be overlooked. Many were built in great neighborhoods and a ranch house remodel can certainly be designed to meet the homeowner’s tastes. At Joseph & Berry, we look at each home remodel project as unique. If you are looking into a ranch house remodel with an open floor plan, here are some pros and cons to consider.

Open floor plans are desirable

If resale is top of mind, an open floor plan is a good choice. Across the country, real estate professionals say that homebuyers are looking for open floor plans where the family can cook, watch TV and entertain in one large area. Open floor plans also allow for more options to fit the active lives of today’s families, such as creating a large space for entertaining or an open view to the outdoor areas.

Universal design

Universal design a design concept that takes into consideration the needs of everyone and their varying abilities, from special needs children to the elderly to those who are shorter, taller or have different motor skills abilities. Open floor plans call for uniform flooring throughout the area which eliminates tripping hazards and allows for means of assistance to move safely about the space, such as wheelchairs or walkers. There is also the ability to create wider aisles, hallways, and entryways for maneuvering. This is an especially appealing feature for Baby Boomers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area who are already looking at ranch homes for the single-floor living. Incorporating universal design into a ranch house remodel will only enhance its value to this market.

Ensuring a structurally sound ranch house remodel

Not every home was designed for an open floor plan. It is important to discuss your vision with a skilled and experienced design-build team before knocking down any walls. In the past, homes used to be designed as separated spaces. The loss of a supporting wall in a ranch house remodel could cause substantial damage and create significant cost. Joseph & Berry provides design-build services that bring with it the structural engineering expertise to ensure a ranch house remodel is done right.

Too close for comfort

Before defaulting to an open floor plan, remember they are not for everyone, especially in a ranch house remodel. Consider a limited opening of space, such as connecting the kitchen and dining room, if you like to keep cooking and dining separately from the TV room. Some families with children love having a place for everyone to congregate, making it easier to keep an eye on little ones. Others prefer the separation as a way to occasionally get a little peace and quiet. Think about how you enjoy using your home today and consider how an open floor plan might enhance (or diminish) that experience.

An open concept ranch house remodel allows for luxury amenities

One of the downfalls of traditional mid-century ranches is they are not designed for high-end appliances or amenities. Small rooms and limited space can be limiting if a homeowner is looking for a professional kitchen set up with high-end range and hood, wine fridge and a wet bar island. Knocking down a few walls is one way to ensure homeowners have the space to fully realize their vision.

Joseph & Berry has significant experience remodeling and creating custom luxury homes. With a project manager on site at all times, we are there to answer questions and help guide you through the remodel process, including deciding whether an open floor plan in your ranch home is right for you. Contact us to schedule your home remodeling consultation! (800)-371-8970

Are Professional Kitchen Appliances Necessary or a Luxury?

When planning a kitchen remodel, one of the more fun choices you’ll have to make revolves around your kitchen appliances. We’ve all seen the photos on Houzz or the fabulous kitchen renovation on HGTV that feature stunning, sleek luxury stainless steel professional appliances. They’re beautiful and of course, we all look longly at them and imagine our kitchen decked out with high-end appliances.

The fact is, that regardless of your budget, you want to choose appliances that will offer quality, value and carefree operation for the long haul. Luxury kitchen appliances offer these qualities and so much more. Splurging on the best appliances you can afford can make your life in the kitchen much easier, and more enjoyable for years to come!

Let’s take a closer look at exactly what luxury kitchen appliances deliver for the price when compared to standard ones.

Luxury Kitchen Appliances Offer Long-Lasting Performance

Typically, luxury appliances offer the highest quality working components that can take their functionality to the next level of performance in the kitchen. They provide greater energy efficiency and advanced technology to deliver professional results. Companies like Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Viking also rigorously test each appliance during the development and production stages to make sure it’s worthy of their name. This means that you can expect a higher level of quality from these makers.

In fact, you can often see and feel the difference in quality with luxury appliances. Open and close oven and refrigerator doors, they’ll feel heavier and more sturdy than standard appliances. Pull out the racks and drawers, examine the interior surfaces and controls. You’ll notice that the luxury appliances have a completely different look and feel than their less-expensive counterparts. They are made of higher quality materials, offer more weight and heft, better sealing and illumination. In short, they’re quality appliances that are built to last a lifetime.

Extra Features With Purpose

When it comes to luxury appliances, you most definitely get what you pay for. Extras are thoughtfully engineered to streamline your cooking time and enhance entertaining. For example, you’ll find high-end luxury stoves with built-in downdraft ventilation capturing smoke and odors at the cooking surface and removing them without the need for a hood. Or flexible cooking options like combination steam and convection, or microwave and convection ovens.

Often you’ll find oven features like timed start, where you can place dinner in the oven along with a temperature probe and have a timer turn it on and off at precisely the right time so you return home from work to a beautifully cooked roast for your family.

Luxury refrigerators often offer multiple food storage spaces with adjustable temperatures. For example, need extra freezer space? Convert the lower portion of the refrigerator to extra freezer space by pushing a button or even appliances built for entertaining like a large capacity dishwasher that heats plates for when you’re hosting a dinner party.

The High-Quality Fit and Finishes You Want

Luxury appliance makers spend a good deal of attention on design aesthetics so your purchase will offer a timeless look that will last a lifetime. The focus on fit and finish covers all aspects like sleek lines and countertop depth that ensures an integrated look. Appliances that blend into the cabinetry like Sub-Zero refrigerators or Miele dishwashers offer the homeowner the ability to replace the front of the appliance with matching cabinet panels to make them blend in seamlessly.

If you want a more professional look, most luxury kitchen appliance manufacturers offer quality, stainless-steel exteriors, and interiors as well as more aesthetic options to match any design style. Today, even refrigerators are high style with some models featuring glass doors to showcase the food. One model even has a velvety matte black interior complete with LED lighting.

If you’re an early adopter of new technology, luxury appliances are perfect for you. The high-end makers are usually the first to adopt innovative technologies into their products. With high-end Appliances you’ll enjoy:

Induction cooking that’s energy efficient and fast! Boil water in 90 seconds, with no dangerous heat using magnetic technology

Intuitively activated vent hoods turn on and off automatically based on need

Sensors in dishwashers and refrigerators that monitor and adjust for optimal temperature, humidity levels and even create the ideal freezer environment

Internal high-tech components like air purification and a magnetically sealed door to keep food fresher

Energy efficiency. A new Sub-Zero refrigerator uses less energy than a 100 watt light bulb

While the initial cost for a luxury appliance may be significantly higher than a standard appliance, the value you receive is much higher as well. Luxury makers use higher quality materials, pay attention to classic aesthetic design, and wrap the newest technologies into appliances that will stand the test of time, and daily use.

Not only that, but professional-style luxury appliances will add value to your home should you choose to sell. High-end appliances in the kitchen can work to elevate a buyer’s perception of the entire home, meaning you’ll sell quicker and often at a higher price. Brands like Wolf, Viking, Miele, and Sub-Zero are recognized by buyers as a luxury item and they’re often willing to pay up for that luxury.

If you are upgrading prior to selling and budget is a concern, choosing a “designer” range is the best use of your funds. The range is a major focal point in most kitchens and along with the range hood can help to define the entire space. That’s why it offers a big bang for the bucks. Plus nothing is more fun to cook on than a luxury range. They really do work better than an inexpensive stove.

To learn more about our kitchen remodeling service, don’t waste time. Call us today at (800) 371-8970 or reach out to us through our website for appointments and free consultation meeting.

Choosing a Range Hood For A Kitchen Remodeling Project

Over-the-range hoods are a stylish and practical feature for the home cook’s kitchen. Because of the popularity of this feature, and the various makes and models, adding a professional range hood to your kitchen is more accessible than ever.

If you consider your next kitchen remodeling in Dallas, Tx, Click Here to see our kitchen remodeling designs and ideas!

Why do you need a range hood?

Range hoods prevent your home from being overwhelmed by odors and grease from the cooking you do each day. Cooking foods like lamb chops, bacon and even a slow-simmering sauce, yield odors and grease into the air that stick to walls, art, furniture and other fabrics. One way to draw these fumes outside of the kitchen and away from areas you’d like to keep smelling fresh is a range hood. Because this feature involves ductwork and venting, there are often regulations and building requirements when it comes to installing range hoods. Our designers have ample experience in kitchen design and know the requirements in the Dallas Fort Worth area. If your planning a kitchen remodel (read more about our kitchen remodeling in Dallas, Tx), give us a call to find out how these rules apply in your town (800)-371-8970 or Click Here to submit your details and we’ll contact you.

Right-sizing a range hood

There are basic rules of thumb to pair the cooktop’s energy production with the hood’s oil- and grease-sucking power. For every 100 Btu, you need 1 cfm of ventilation power. For example, a professional-grade range with 90,000 Btu would require a range hood that has 900 cfm. The recommended cfm reflects what is needed to properly vent the cooktop burners, so if your cooktop includes an indoor grilling component, you should choose a hood with more power. When it comes to the physical size of the unit, it should be larger than the cooktop area, especially if you are looking at professional-grade ranges. If you are going to the effort to install a professional range hood, don’t skimp. In this case, going bigger is better.

Venting

Many kitchens opt for a duct-free range hood installed under the cabinets. These include a fan, typically with two speed, that draw fumes from the range through a filter and back into the kitchen. These units do little to reduce smoke or odors and we do not recommend this style for regular home cooks.

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Proper kitchen ventilation requires ductwork that draws fumes and odors outside of the home. Depending on the location of your range, you have some choices as to how this is done. Ductwork can be routed through a chase, soffit or chimney.If the range is located on an exterior wall, ductwork can be installed to vent to the outside directly behind the range hood. Island hoods can be vented through ductwork in the ceiling.

A downdraft hood is another option, which aims to remove the smoke and fumes through an exhaust system on the floor. As most people know, heat rises and there’s little evidence these units are as effective as they claim. For that reason, we do not recommend this kind of product.

All-in-one or insert and shell?

Here comes the fun part. Choosing the type of range hood will determine the exterior look. Do you envision a classic stainless steel or a dramatic shell? Your decision could impact the kind of range hood you buy.

There are two kinds of range hoods. The all-in-one hood comes with the blower fan and outer shell built together. These typically have a classic kitchen look, made of durable and attractive materials like stainless steel. Insert and shell allows customers to choose the interior blower components with the shell they want separately. This is handy for homeowners who want extra power, but also have a specific shell in mind. Typically, companies that produce insert and shell models are higher-end products, giving homeowners even more options. Manufacturers like Broan, Zephyr, Viking and Wolf offer high-end professional grade products that are both highly functional and stylish.

If you are planning a kitchen remodel and have questions about what range hood is right for your kitchen, contact Joseph & Berry. Our kitchen designers are available to talk to you about your plans and answer questions. Call us now at (800) 371-8970

Soapstone countertops are beautiful but are they right for you?

There was a time when granite countertops ruled the day, but as tastes change and trends emerge, homeowners often look to other materials to give their kitchen a beautiful and unique look. Soapstone countertops are a high-quality choice for the homeowner looking for a high-end kitchen remodel. Durable, impervious to stains and bacteria, and beautiful to look at, soapstone fits well with any kitchen style and design. At Joseph & Berry, we've seen some beautiful kitchen designs incorporate soapstone in the Dallas area. Our in-house project managers are well-versed in using the material and can answer your questions on this attractive countertop option.

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About soapstone countertops

Soapstone is a steatite stone that consists fo the minerals chlorite, magnesite and dolomite. Most of the varieties of soapstone contain a considerable amount of talc which gives it a milky or powdery look and feel to the stone. For centuries, it has been used in architecture and by sculptors for its workability and durability. While its soft enough to work with, it is durable enough for fireplaces and kitchen uses.

Soapstone has emerged as a high-end choice for countertops because of its unique properties. It is not affected by chemicals. Soapstone has a soft feel, yet stands up great to heat, so there's no need to worry about finding a trivet for a pot or baking dish fresh from the oven. It is very dense with light veining similar to marble. Its density protects against stains and bacteria, and the gray color compliments many different kitchen styles. Looking for kitchen inspiration? Click Here

A timeless choice

In parts of the country where older homes are more familiar, it's not unusual to find a soapstone sink from the 1800s still in use. Soapstone countertops will last a lifetime. The color is complementary to a variety of cabinet finishes and room colors and can be found in both traditional, country and modern style kitchens. For those looking for a timeless look that will stand up to years of cooking and washing, soapstone is a great choice.

Caring for soapstone countertops

While soapstone countertops are durable, it will scratch. When scratching does occur, a light sanding will make the scratches disappear. Keeping the countertop well-oiled will provide extra protection against scratching and discoloration. This wear is often questioned by homeowners, but once they have it in their home, find it adds character to the kitchen.

Other issues

A well-oiled soapstone countertop will darken from gray to a charcoal gray or even black over time. For some, this shift in color does not fit with their aesthetic. While durable, it is susceptible to scratching chipping and gouging. These imperfections can be repaired, but for some, this could be a bit more maintenance than they're looking for. The color can also be a limitation. It can vary from light gray to black often with a slight green hue. Those looking for a pink or brown accents will not find it here.

For those interested in sustainability, soapstone is not a material that can be locally sourced. Once found in Vermont and the hill of Appalachia, most soapstone is mined in Brazil today, meaning significant travel from source to your home. However, we've seen stone sourced from around the world, and having a beautiful slab from afar can also be a significant selling point.

If you would like to know more about the versatility and look of soapstone countertops, our team can discuss options and answer your questions about this beautiful countertop option. The professionals at Joseph & Berry Remodel Design Build specialize in custom kitchen design and have remodeled many award-winning homes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Call us today to schedule your consulting meeting with our professionals! Call us now: (800) 371-8970

Learn What’s New In Dallas for Kitchen Island Design

Kitchen islands are among the most popular features in today’s kitchen. Because of their popularity, designers have found a way to incorporate dozens of innovations into the space, from large to small. When considering your kitchen island design, think about how you would use the area, how you use your kitchen today and how the design might meet the most of your needs. Looking for design inspiration? Click Here

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Kitchen Island Design for Prep

One of the most frequent requests we hear from homeowners who want a kitchen redesign is more room for preparing food. Kitchen counters often get cluttered with coffee makers, toasters, knife blocks, so a kitchen island design that’s clutter free gives homeowners plenty of room for kneading bread, chopping vegetables or displaying foods for a holiday party. These can have the look of a farmer’s table with a wood countertop, or more tradition marble or quartz.

Kitchen Island with marble countertop – perfect for preparation

Looking For Kitchen Island Design Trends for Home Remodeling in Greater Dallas? Contact the professionals at Joseph & Berry and they’d love to discuss your project further – 800-371-8970

Dining Island

Fewer and fewer homeowners want to eat meals in a formal dining room and instead ask for seating options in the kitchen area. Incorporating dining seating into your kitchen island design is one way to accomplish that goal. The island can be counter height, bar height, or multi-level. High-top chairs or bar stools are easy to tuck away after use. Kitchen island seating is a place for the casual family meal, as well as a place to entertain friends.

Storage in Your Kitchen Island Design

Home cooks have come to realize that dishwashers, ovens and other big appliances built within a kitchen island take up a lot of space, leaving less room for extra storage, a seating area or other functions. If your plans include a large island as the focal point of your kitchen, include cabinetry to store items you use for entertaining, baking or large cooking projects in your kitchen island design. Since the top will likely be a space where people gather and food is prepped, and later displayed, having the tools and dishes for these jobs at your fingertips saves time and steps.

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Sinks and Small Appliances

If you love entertaining but hate leaving the action to do prep or clean up after, consider a sink at one end of the island. A small prep sink can be used for washing vegetables or serve as part of a wet bar. A larger farmer’s style sink can be used for rinsing dishes and washing items too big for the dishwasher. Friends can gather with drinks and refreshments at one end of the island, keeping you company both before and after the big meal.

Small appliances are also showing up in the latest kitchen island designs. A beverage fridge keeps the pressure off of your main refrigerator when entertaining, and a microwave stored just below the counter gives the whole family easy access to this handy kitchen appliance.

A Place to Display

The island side that faces your kitchen work area is usually functional, with cabinets and drawers for storage, but consider a kitchen island design that has shelving for displaying some of your favorite items facing the rest of the room. Whether it’s a collection of vintage cookbooks or your favorite yellowware pieces, having a spot to show them off in your new kitchen will add character and a personal touch to the design. Some homeowners also use the kitchen island as a place to display their own style. Consider a design that features a pop of color, or a natural wood accent to offset the look of the rest of the cabinets. In an all-white kitchen, a bright yellow island base makes the room feel less matchy, and a deep wood stain can give the room a cottage feel while keeping with the overall design.

Joseph & Berry have experienced staff on-site to help you create a custom kitchen island design, as well as many other home features. Serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Joseph & Berry provides top-quality design-build services and expert advice. Contact us today and let’s schedule your free consultation meeting!

One of the best parts of a kitchen remodel is the ability to start over! When remodeling your kitchen, there are so many choices to make from flooring and countertops to cabinets and appliances. One area that you should pay particular attention to when planning your design is kitchen storage.

The typical kitchen is crammed with items that need a good home. From your stand mixer and food processor to dishware, pots, and pans, bakeware, utensils and dry goods, a well-organized kitchen can be a joy to work in. It’s important when planning to take all of your storage needs into consideration and then give everything a place, especially in a smaller kitchen.

As you begin the planning process, speak with your kitchen designer or design-build contractor. They will have information on the latest storage solutions available. You should also visit online sites like Houzz, HGTV, and DIY to gather information and get inspiration. Pull together clips from your favorite home design magazines and make a file to go over with your team, and visit the big box stores to get ideas.

Here are a few kitchen storage ideas to help get you started and inspire you as you begin to plan your dream kitchen!

Kitchen Storage Ideas For Your New Kitchen Remodel

Pre-planning is the key to success when it comes to designing the perfect kitchen to meet your lifestyle and aesthetic needs. While many storage solutions are kept out of sight behind a closed cabinet door, this one area of your remodel can pay off big when it comes time to get down to the serious business of cooking for your friends, relatives, and family.

1. Custom Pantry

More than any other kitchen storage, most people dream of a custom kitchen pantry. And why not, it’s the perfect solution for storing everything from dry goods like pasta, flour, and sugar, to appliances, cleaning supplies and even holiday cookware. A well-designed pantry will offer you plenty of visible storage so you can see what’s in there and a way to keep everything organized making shopping a breeze.

2. Corner Drawers

When it comes to kitchen design, every square inch needs to be taken into account. Corners can be a particularly tricky area when t comes to cabinet space. Enter the corner drawer. Corner drawers run diagonally into the corner, which makes them deeper than standard drawers, so they offer great storage space for larger items.

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3. Under Sink Drawer

The space under your sink can easily be an unorganized mess. Adding a sliding under sink drawer can give you easy access to cleaning supplies, paper towels and more. It’s one more potential organization tool to help you keep your kitchen neat.

4. Pullout Trash and Recycling Bins

Adding a pullout trash and recycling bin can make cleanup a snap. Place it under your island counter or close to where you do your food prep. Just slide food scraps and recyclables right in for quick clean up.

5. Cookie Sheet/Broiler Pan Drawer

Consider adding a divided deep drawer to your bottom cabinets. It’s a great way to keep your baking supplies, muffin tins, broiler pans, and pot lids organized and easily accessible. If you can’t spare the cabinet space, consider adding wood or metal dividers to the cabinet above the fridge.

6. Pots and Pans

Pans and pot lids organized and easily accessible. If you can’t spare the cabinet space, consider a narrow pullout drawer near the stove.

7. Appliance Garage

While the pantry can be used to store those large appliances you occasionally use, An appliance garage is a perfect solution for those appliances that get more use like the toaster, immersion blender and coffee machine. Your appliances are readily available, and when the door is closed, you get to have clutter-free countertops which make your kitchen look beautiful!

8. Deep Cabinet Organizer

If you don’t have the space for a dedicated walk-in custom pantry, a great second choice is a floor to ceiling deep cabinet with cabinet door racks and pullout shelves. Having storage on the doors and inside can help you stay organized and keeps everything within easy reach.

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9. Spice Storage

Nothing makes cooking more enjoyable than having the materials you need close at hand when creating a fabulous meal. Consider specialized spice storage near the stove to make adding the right ingredient at the right time easy. This feature can be adapted to your personal style. If you love to cook keep your ingredients close by with plenty of spice storage.

10. Kitchen Office Area

A kitchen command center can be a real plus. Make an area with a desk, computer and mail slots to take care of chores like bills. Include storage for cookbooks, recipe cards, and more. It’s a great way to keep your household organized, makes the perfect place to pay bills, and plan those weekly meals for the family.

11. Dedicated Pet Area

Pets are members of the family, and a popular trend is creating a dedicated area just for pets. Built-in food and water bowls under a cabinet can help to keep your pet from tripping you up when you cook. You may want to add a dog or cat bed, after all, they’re family!

Custom made dog shower in a new powder room that was built outside kitchen area

These are just ten ideas to help get you started. Ask your kitchen designer or design-build firm to help you create the perfect storage solutions for your dream kitchen. At Joseph & Berry, we help our clients to create their dream kitchens every day. If you’re planning a remodel, give us a call. Let us show you the luxury we can create for you!

At Joseph and Berry, we work with homeowners through every step of the kitchen construction process from planning and budgeting through the design and execution of your project. Let us help you create your custom kitchen! Contact us to schedule an appointment for a design consultation!

Avoid these all too common mistakes when designing a kitchen layout

Kitchen layout and design have always been part art, part science. While there are plenty of aesthetic choices to make when designing a kitchen, the actual functionality comes down to some hard and fast rules. Every professional designer and design build contractor have at some point had to deal with poor design. Whether it’s due to the home owner’s unwillingness to compromise, or simply an oversight on their part, they’ve pretty much all “been there, done that.”

Think about it for a minute. The kitchen is the one room in the house that truly has multiple functions. We cook, eat, clean, drink and socialize in the kitchen. It’s where we share meals with our families, and where the kids sit after school to do their homework. That’s why it’s the heart of your home and the one room that needs to be beautiful as well as functional.

Regardless of your design style, proper kitchen layout and organization are essential. Avoid these common mistakes to achieve a functional, elegant, and practical kitchen design!

Obstructing “The Triangle” in Your Kitchen Layout

When designers refer to the kitchen triangle, they are speaking of the relationship and placement of the sink, stove, and refrigerator. This is the area of greatest activity in the kitchen, and it requires careful planning and unobstructed access. The sink sees the most action, and you should have easy access to the refrigerator and stove as well as counter space for chopping and preparing food.

The placement of your sink is somewhat dependent upon your plumbing. If your sink is in an inconvenient location, it’s worth the expense to move it for functionality. No matter what size your kitchen or what shape (L-shape, galley, etc.To) the sum of all three sides of the triangle should not be less than 10 feet or more than 25. If it’s too small, it can be cramped for more than one person. Too large and food prep can be a tedious task.

Inefficient or Wasted Storage Space

Kitchens are usually chock full of stuff! Pots and pans, appliances, dishes, plates, silverware, dry goods and more. It all requires storage and some items like food processors or stand mixers can require a lot of space. Because built-ins can be expensive and overall space may be limited, one major design flaw is not planning for enough storage space. Every kitchen layout has some wasted space, but with a little planning, it can be minimized.

If your kitchen is smaller, consider using extra tall upper cabinets with molding. You can place lighting or plants along the molding to create a focal point. Always include cabinets above the refrigerator. Not including cabinets here is a waste of space. It’s the perfect place to store those large platters that only come when you’re entertaining.

Not Enough Counter Space

One major complaint among many homeowners is a lack of counter space. Considering everything that takes place in the kitchen from food prep, to eating, to homework, plus all of the appliances that live there like the coffee maker and toaster, you’ll need plenty of counter space. Whenever possible, consider a kitchen layout that incorporates an L-shaped counter, or if you have the room, an island.

Inadequate Lighting

Lighting is an essential element in every kitchen. It’s not only about design and ambiance, but you’ll be preparing food using sharp knives and other kitchen utensils. There are three types of lighting you should add when designing your kitchen layout, task, decorative and accent lighting.

Task lighting provides general lighting and should be bright enough to work by. Overhead lights on a dimmer can function as both task lighting and accent or ambient lighting. Accent lighting light pendants or mini pendants over the island or counters can add a pleasant ambiance. Pendants on dimmers can act as both task and decorative lighting. Under-cabinet lighting can not only add a wonderful design element to your kitchen, but it can also illuminate countertops providing additional lighting when working in the kitchen.

Skipping The Back Splash

A backsplash is often a place that homeowners choose to skip to save a little money. Sometimes it’s left out of the planning altogether. This might save you a few bucks in the short term, but in the long-run, it will cost you a lot of time.

The kitchen is full of steam, water, and grease. Putting a backsplash above the cooktop and counters can save you a lot of clean up time and keep your kitchen looking fresh. It’s a lot easier to clean grease off of a backsplash than it is to clean it off a painted or wallpapered surface.

Work With Professionals When Designing Your Kitchen Layout

The best way to avoid these common problems is to work with a professional design build firm. They can assist you with every aspect of your project from the initial design to creating the budget through construction. The designers at Joseph & Berry are on top of all of the latest trends and information available. We work with our clients to understand their lifestyle, needs, and creative vision and then create a plan to help them get there. If you’re planning a kitchen remodel or would like more information, give us a call. We’re always ready to help you achieve your dream!

Want to learn more about kitchen remodeling in Dallas area? Click here!

If live in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and you’re planning a kitchen remodel, give the professionals at Joseph & Berry a call! We’re here to help you design a home that will meet your needs for years to come.

We hear that question so often, we decided to help you and make a brief article with our 2 cents.

How To Stay At Home During a Kitchen Renovation

A kitchen is often the most used room in your home and beginning a kitchen remodel is not only exciting but it can also be fun. After all, you’ve probably waited a long time for this. Picking the perfect tile, shopping for appliances, and finding the perfect slab of granite for your countertop and imagining just how wonderful the new space will be is enjoyable. Once the planning and design stages are over, the intrusive work begins.

The first decision you’ll need to make just before demolition starts is – should you stay or should you go? Remodeling can be an incredibly disruptive process when it comes to your family’s day-to-day routine (Click to learn more about our awesome process!). On the one hand, if you stay, you get to monitor the project’s progress, but you and your family will have to deal with the lack of privacy as you’ll have workers in the house, plus the dust and noise are a nuisance.

If you choose to move out, rental costs and eating out for the six to eight weeks of your project can add thousands of dollars to your costs. Naturally, most homeowners opt to stay put. If you do decide to stay, make sure you understand exactly what you’re getting into, and how to stay safe in a construction zone.

Here are a few tips to help you get through your kitchen renovation with flying colors.

Stay or Go? Some Factors to Consider

While most homeowners choose to stay, there are some advantages to moving out. Especially if you have family or close friends to stay to reduce or eliminate the cost of a hotel or short-term rental.

Advantages of Leaving

Avoid the Noise and Dust – A construction site is noisy, disruptive and dirty. It will definitely get messy and be noisy.

Live Comfortably Without Disruption – Hotels, family and vacation homes are much more inviting than living on a construction site.

Leaving Can Accelerate Your Timeline – Without your family in the way, professionals can get the job done faster.

It Can Actually Be Cheaper Than Staying – Some companies charge more if you stay in your home. Plus if they finish early it can save considerable cash.

Everyone Could Use A Vacation – Time your kitchen remodel around a holiday and come back to an HGTV style “big reveal.”

Of course, there are always two sides to every story

Advantages of Staying

It’s Usually Less Expensive Than Leaving – Hotel and food costs can add up to a considerable amount depending on the length of time the project takes.

Monitor Your Project – There is some peace of mind that comes from knowing where your project stands.

If Questions Come Up, You’re Available – Problems will arise. The faster your contractor addresses them, the sooner they’re resolved. If you’re there, you can make decisions instantly.

You Don’t Have To Eat In A Restaurant Every Night– With some pre-planning, you can still cook and eat at home. Of course, it depends on the scope of work.

There are some cases in which you will have to leave your home. For example, if your roof is compromised your safety may be at risk or if you live in an older home and have asbestos that will need removal. Your design build contractor will inform you if problems that require you to leave arise.

Deciding To Stay: Tips For Surviving Your Kitchen Renovation at Home

Now that you’ve decided to stay, here are a few tips to help you survive your kitchen renovation. With planning and a little patience, you’ll get through with flying colors. The primary goal is to minimize disruption, remain safe and stay sane!

Have A Construction Schedule – There are points where you might need to leave for a short period. For example when your water is shut-off for plumbing, or when the floors are being refinished.

Turn off the HVAC – Blowing air will blow dust throughout your home, even in you tarp off the construction zone. Contain the dust as much as possible and consider adding an air handler to filter the air.

Remove Breakable Object and Art – Stuff can break if it’s near the construction zone. Remove all fragile objects.

Keep the Pets and Kids Out of The Way – Having children and pets underfoot can cause delays and is potentially dangerous.

Plan Your Renovation During A “Stay at Home” Vacation – Or during the summer, grilling can be fun, and you can still eat at home! If you do leave, make sure your design build contractor can get in touch if problems come up.

Consider Setting Up a Temporary Kitchen – With a little planning, the laundry room or another area can become a temporary kitchen. You can move the fridge, set up a counter with a portable burner, convection oven, and microwave.

Stock Up On The Paper Plates – While it’s not the “greenest” way of life, paper plates, Solo cups and plastic ware that can be thrown away for easy cleanup helps. Remember, it’s only temporary and the energy and water you’ll save with you all new energy efficient appliances will more than makeup for it in the long run!

With a little pre-planning and some grit, you’ll get through your kitchen renovation. Most contractors will work with you to make the process as smooth as possible. Here at Joseph & Berry, we plan every day of your project before we begin and we have a dedicated project manager overseeing your kitchen remodel. We’ll let you know well in advance if you should plan on leaving for a few days. We also work with your throughout the process to minimize the day-to-day disruption to you and your family. Always remember, no matter how difficult the process, the day it’s over you’ll have your dream kitchen ready to enjoy for many years to come! To learn more about the design-build remodel projects we have completed in Greater Dallas or to ask questions about kitchen renovation, contact us to speak with one of our designers.

Choose Kitchen Countertop Material & Remodel, Whether you’re remodeling your kitchen, giving your existing kitchen a facelift, or building a new custom home, your countertops can set the style and tone of the most important room in the house. If your home features an open concept floor plan, it can even carry your design sense throughout the entire living space.

In fact, countertops are almost as important as the layout of your kitchen. Today, you have more choices than ever before. With a huge variety of human-made and engineered products, as well as natural materials available in every possible color and pattern, you have more options than ever!

While it’s tempting to choose your new countertop based solely on aesthetics, picking your kitchen countertop comes down to four criteria; your style, maintenance needs, the material’s durability and of course the cost. Consider each before making a final choice.

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT: DEFINING YOUR NEEDS

Start by examining your lifestyle. While beautiful white Carrara marble is an elegant, luxurious choice, if you have small children who love to come home from school and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the kitchen counter, marble is probably not a good choice for you. Perhaps an engineered quartz or natural soapstone surface might make more sense.

Do you love to prepare food? Will you be chopping and slicing on your surface? Maybe a hardwood butcher block surface, like natural maple is the answer. Looking for an eco-friendly option? Consider solid surface composites like IceStone, Richlite or Paperstone. They are sustainable and release no VOCs. Are you a baker? Marble countertops stay cool and if you like to bake, it is the perfect surface for kneading dough. Looking for inspiration? Click Here!

KITCHEN COUNTERTOP OPTIONS TO FIT ANY LIFESTYLE

The good news? With so many great kitchen countertop choices available, even if you have your heart set on a particular material like marble, but it doesn’t match your lifestyle, you can find a similar material like manufactured quartz that can match the pattern and style of natural marble.

Let’s explore some of the popular kitchen countertop options available!

GRANITE

Natural stone is a popular kitchen countertop choice and granite is by far the most popular. Granite countertops come in a wide variety of colors, and every slab is unique. It also comes in several different finishes including, brushed, antiqued, honed (which is a matte finish) and polished for a shiny almost luminescent look. Granite’s cost can vary widely with a common variety like Ubatuba being more affordable than the more exotic Labradorite.

NATURAL STONE

While granite is the most popular natural stone, it’s not your only choice. Marble, limestone, quartzite, and soapstone are great luxurious options, but they are not as durable as granite and will require occasional maintenance like annual sealing. Even truly exotic stone like Onyx is available for your kitchen countertop if money’s no object!

ENGINEERED STONE

Another option is engineered stone. Quartz countertops are made by using chips of stone and resin. They offer the look and feel of natural stone, but are almost bulletproof and come in every color imaginable. You will pay for this durability however as manufactured stone countertops can cost twice as much as the least expensive granite!

SOLID SURFACES

If it’s practicality you’re looking for, solid surface materials might be the right choice. Acrylics like Corian, or newer countertop materials like Paperstone or Richlite (made using recycled paper and resin) are easy to maintain and eco-friendly. We rarely use solid surface materials in our kitchen designs, but they are ideal for laundry rooms where value and practicality are important.

CUSTOM-MADE CONCRETE

A hot trend a few years ago, concrete countertops are at home in a contemporary or industrial design. They can be customized with pigment, stained, acid washed, and polished. It can also be delivered with several different finishes including trowel finished, exposed aggregate or pressed with a tool that replicates marble like veining. Concrete requires upkeep and needs careful maintenance. A sponge left on the surface can leave a stain, acidic liquids can etch the surface, and sudden temperature changes can cause warping or curling. It also needs to be sealed four times a year, and paste wax should be applied every couple of months.

WOOD COUNTERTOPS

Wood is a traditional material that can warm up your kitchen. Wooden kitchen countertops like maple or butcher block are easy to clean, and small scratches can easily be sanded out. Water can be a problem, so you will need to oil them frequently to keep the surface sealed.

The best option is to try to see and touch the surfaces in person before you make a final decision. Work with a designer and discuss your options. Countertops can be customized with various edge styles. Many designers are their meeting clients needs by combining different materials to create a truly custom kitchen. With all of the countertop choices available and a little help from your kitchen designer, you’re sure to find the perfect kitchen countertop to meet your lifestyle and stylistic needs!

Is A Kitchen Remodel Right For You?

Is A Kitchen Remodel Right For You? You probably have a lot of questions to consider before coming to a conclusion of investing in an all new kitchen. Is this something you’ve wanted for more than a couple of days? What would you change about your current kitchen? Are you ready to add value to your home? Our Dallas kitchen remodeling team can give you the kitchen of your dreams. Consider these reasons below:

Customized and tailored to your measurements One of the best reasons to remodel your kitchen is to make the kitchen that came with the house more customized to your personal preferences. It is time to step up and realize that you should take control of your kitchen’s style and functionality. Add Value To Your Home

What many people may not know about kitchen remodeling is that hiring a design build firm can actually save you money and eventually be more affordable. It is also an exciting adventure that will boost your house’s look so you’d wish to go through this journey with the right people that fulfill your dream kitchen plan exactly as you wished. Kitchen remodeling adds more value to your home and enjoyment to your day to day life. The cost benefit rest assured investing in a kitchen remodel will not only add financial value to your home but also add to your personal enjoyment. Conserving electricity by remodeling your kitchen you can make plans to add more natural light with windows and skylights. This helps you save money and energy! You can also invest in energy saving appliances during your remodel.So, what are you waiting for? Let us transform your kitchen today. Your friends and family will love the new entertaining space!